Anti-spasmodic comprising xenon

ABSTRACT

Xenon or xenon-containing gases and, where appropriate, an NO source are employed as spasmolytic. The spasmolytic is preferably a medicament for the treatment of vasospasms, in particular for the treatment of cerebral vasospasms or coronary vasospasms.

The invention relates to a medicament comprising xenon.

WO 02/22141 A2 describes the use of xenon or xenon-containing gases asmedicament, in particular cardiovascular agent.

Spasmolytics include medicaments which reduce the tone of smooth muscles(gastrointestinal tract, vessels, bronchi).

The invention is based on the object of providing an alternativemedicament, in particular an alternative spasmolytic.

The invention relates to a spasmolytic having the features described inclaim 1.

The spasmolytic is a substance or mixture of substances comprisingxenon. The spasmolytic preferably consists of gaseous xenon or axenon-containing gas mixture which is normally administered byinhalation. The spasmolytic generally acts on smooth muscles, especiallyon the smooth muscles of vessels. The spasmolytic is generally aspasmolytic of smooth muscles.

The spasmolytic is preferably a medicament for the treatment ofvasospasms, in particular for the treatment of cerebral vasospasms orcoronary vasospasms.

The invention thus further relates to the use of xenon or axenon-containing gas as vasodilator, preferably as capillary orprecapillary vasodilator, in particular as vasodilator in capillary orprecapillary vascular systems of the human body.

The invention further relates to the use of xenon or a xenon-containinggas for producing a medicament for vasodilatation, preferably forproducing a medicament for capillary or precapillary vasodilatation, inparticular for producing a medicament for vasodilatation in capillary orprecapillary vascular systems of the human body.

The spasmolytic is preferably gaseous. It preferably comprises no solidor liquid constituents on administration. The spasmolytic is thuspreferably in the form of a pure gas phase on administration. Thespasmolytic comprises xenon in a pharmacologically or therapeuticallyeffective amount, in particular in spasmolytically effective amounts.The spasmolytic is ordinarily a xenon-containing gas mixture with acontent of at least 1% by volume xenon. The spasmolytic is preferablyadministered by inhalation through the lungs. In this case, thespasmolytic is an inhaled spasmolytic. The spasmolytic is alsoadministered by means of a heart-lung machine. The spasmolytic ispreferably used for treating humans.

The spasmolytic is normally provided as pure gaseous xenon. Thespasmolytic can also be provided as gas mixture. The spasmolytic isnormally employed as a gas mixture which maintains respiration andcomprises xenon and oxygen. Such gas mixtures are employed for examplein emergency medicine, where gas-mixing or gas-metering devices are toocomplicated for mobile use.

Gaseous xenon or xenon-containing gas mixtures are particularlyadvantageously employed for the prophylaxis of spasms, preferablyvasospasms. Prophylactic administration of xenon or xenon-containing gasmixtures takes place for example preoperatively, intraoperatively orpostoperatively.

The provided spasmolytic or the spasmolytic produced directly on use, inparticular in the direct vicinity of the patient, is for example a gasmixture which comprises from 1 to 80% by volume (based on standardconditions, i.e. 20° C., 1 bar absolute) of xenon (e.g. remainderoxygen). The spasmolytic administered to the patient preferablycomprises xenon in amounts which have no anesthetic effect. Xenonamounts having no anesthetic effect or being inadequate for anesthesiaare referred to as subanesthetic or subanesthetically effective amounts.Gas mixtures with contents of up to 70% by volume xenon generallycontain subanesthetic amounts of xenon. Gas mixtures administered asspasmolytic preferably comprise up to 65% by volume, particularlypreferably up to 60% by volume, in particular up to 50% by volume,xenon. For example, pure xenon is accordingly metered into a patient'srespiratory gas in such a way that gas mixtures with said xenonconcentrations are produced. This means that the respiratory gas whichhas been produced and supplied to the patient comprises, for example,from 5 to 60% by volume, 5 to 50% by volume, 5 to 40% by volume, 5 to30% by volume or 5 to 20% by volume xenon. In special cases, e.g. in theprophylaxis of spasms, especially on prolonged ventilation, it may beadvantageous to meter xenon in the respiratory gas with a lowconcentration, for example from 1 to 35% by volume, 5 to 25% by volumeor 5 to 20% by volume or 5 to 10% by volume xenon in the respiratorygas.

It may be worthwhile in emergency situations to administer xenon asspasmolytic in high concentration.

The gas mixtures administered as spasmolytic preferably comprise besidesxenon one or more gases or substances which are gaseous at bodytemperature under atmospheric pressure. Examples of such gas mixturesare xenon-oxygen gas mixtures or gas mixtures of xenon and one or moreinert gases such as nitrogen or a rare gas or xenon-oxygen-inert gasmixtures. Admixture of a gas, in particular of an inert gas, may be veryadvantageous if it is intended to introduce little xenon into the body.Examples of gases or gas mixtures which are employed as spasmolytic, inparticular as vasospasmolytic, follow: 1.) 100% by volume xenon; 2.) 70%by volume xenon/30% by volume oxygen; 3.) 65% by volume xenon/30% byvolume oxygen/5% by volume nitrogen; 4.) 65% by volume xenon/35% byvolume oxygen; 5.) 60% by volume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/10% byvolume nitrogen; 6.) 60% by volume xenon/35% by volume oxygen/5% byvolume nitrogen; 7.) 60% by volume xenon/40% by volume oxygen; 8.) 55%by volume xenon/25% by volume oxygen/20% by volume nitrogen; 9.) 55% byvolume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/15% by volume nitrogen; 10.) 55% byvolume xenon/35% by volume oxygen/10% by volume nitrogen; 11.) 55% byvolume xenon/40% by volume oxygen/5% by volume nitrogen; 12.) 55% byvolume xenon/45% by volume oxygen; 13.) 50% by volume xenon/50% byvolume oxygen; 14.) 50% by volume xenon/45% by volume oxygen/5% byvolume nitrogen; 15.) 50% by volume xenon/40% by volume oxygen/10% byvolume nitrogen; 16.) 50% by volume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/20% byvolume nitrogen; 17.) 50% by volume xenon/25% by volume oxygen/25% byvolume nitrogen; 18.) 45% by volume xenon/55% by volume oxygen; 19.) 45%by volume xenon/50% by volume oxygen/5% by volume nitrogen; 20.) 45% byvolume xenon/45% by volume oxygen/10% by volume nitrogen; 21.) 45% byvolume xenon/40% by volume oxygen/15% by volume nitrogen; 22.) 45% byvolume xenon/35% by volume oxygen/20% by volume nitrogen; 23.) 45% byvolume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/25% by volume nitrogen; 24.) 45% byvolume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/25% by volume nitrogen; 25.) 40% byvolume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/30% by volume nitrogen; 26.) 40% byvolume xenon/50% by volume oxygen/10% by volume nitrogen; 27.) 35% byvolume xenon/25% by volume oxygen/40% by volume nitrogen; 28.) 35% byvolume xenon/65% by volume oxygen; 29.) 30% by volume xenon/70% byvolume oxygen; 30.) 30% by volume xenon/50% by volume oxygen/20% byvolume nitrogen; 31.) 30% by volume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/40% byvolume nitrogen; 32.) 20% by volume xenon/80% by volume oxygen; 33.) 20%by volume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/50% by volume nitrogen; 34.) 15% byvolume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/55% by volume nitrogen; 35.) 15% byvolume xenon/50% by volume oxygen/35% by volume nitrogen; 36.) 10% byvolume xenon/90% by volume oxygen; 37.) 10% by volume xenon/50% byvolume oxygen/40% by volume nitrogen; 38.) 10% by volume xenon/30% byvolume oxygen/60% by volume nitrogen; 39.) 10% by volume xenon/25% byvolume oxygen/65% by volume nitrogen; 40.) 5% by volume xenon/25% byvolume oxygen/70% by volume nitrogen; 41.) 5% by volume xenon/30% byvolume oxygen/65% by volume nitrogen; 42.) 5% by volume xenon/50% byvolume oxygen/45% by volume nitrogen; 43.) 5% by volume xenon/30% byvolume oxygen/65% by volume nitrogen; 44.) 5% by volume xenon/95% byvolume oxygen; 45.) 1% by volume xenon/99% by volume oxygen; 46.) 1% byvolume xenon/30% by volume oxygen/69% by volume nitrogen; 47.) 1% byvolume xenon/25% by volume oxygen/74% by volume nitrogen.

Xenon or a xenon-containing gas mixture is preferably used to produce amedicament for the treatment of spasms, to produce a medicament for thetreatment of vasospasms, to produce a medicament for the treatment ofvasospasms in capillary vascular systems (e.g. vasospasms of capillaryvessels) or precapillary vascular systems.

Medicaments for the treatment of cerebral vasospasms which comprisexenon are referred to as cerebrospasmolytics. The cerebrospasmolyticscounteract impairments of blood flow in the brain. Thecerebrospasmolytics are further used for the treatment of impairment ofcerebral perfusion and of cognitive impairments. The cerebrospasmolyticsare additionally employed for the prophylaxis and/or therapy ofimpairments of cognitive performance, also postoperatively. Thecerebrospasmolytics are used for the treatment of stroke and for thepropylaxis of stroke. The cerebrospasmolytics are further used for thetreatment of post-ischemia syndromes.

In addition, xenon or a xenon-containing gas mixture are also used toproduce a bronchospasmolytic.

In addition, xenon or a xenon-containing gas mixture are also used toproduce a vasospasmolytic for the treatment of coronary perfusionimpairments.

Said medicaments are regarded as special forms of a spasmolytic. Theterm “spasmolytic” is the general term covering the particularmedicaments mentioned. The statements about the composition andadministration of the spasmalytic are therefore applicable to theparticular medicaments.

The spasmolytic and the particular medicaments are employedpreoperatively, intraoperatively or postoperatively.

The spasmolytic is particularly advantageously employed inintensive-care medicine, especially when the medicament must beadministered over a prolonged period, for example during long-termventilation. In this case, the spasmolytic has the particular advantageof having no side effects according to the current state of knowledge.When xenon or xenon-containing gases are used as spasmolytic there is noformation of metabolites in the body, and the medicament does notaccumulate in the body.

Xenon is administered in particular during long-term ventilation and forprophylaxis in subanesthetic concentrations in the breathable gas(respiratory gas). It is advantageous especially during long-termventilation to administer breathable gases having a content of from 5 to45% by volume xenon, preferably 5 to 40% by volume xenon. Duringlong-term ventilation, the breathable gas has, for example, a content offrom 20 to 30% by volume oxygen, it being possible to increase theoxygen content if required at times for example 30 to 95% by volumeoxygen. The remaining gas in the breathable gas usually consists ofnitrogen or another inert gas.

Xenon- and oxygen-containing gas mixtures are advantageously employed asbronchospasmolytic in particular in the homecare sector for supplyingoxygen (e.g. long-term oxygen therapy, especially for asthma or COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or for acute respiratorydistress) of spontaneously breathing patients. The xenon- andoxygen-containing gas mixtures have for example a xenon content in therange from 1 to 30% by volume xenon, preferably in the range from 1 to20% by volume xenon, in particular in the range from 5 to 10% by volumexenon. The gas mixture is provided in compressed gas containers or ascryogenically liquefied gas in insulated containers or is generated onsite.

The employed xenon gas generally has the natural isotope composition.The isotope composition of the xenon may differ from the natural isotopecomposition, in particular on use for diagnostic purposes. The xenon gasis preferably employed in high purity, as usual for medical gases. Thexenon gas is preferably used as pure gas or mixed with other gases forproducing a gaseous medicament for said applications.

Gaseous xenon (pure xenon) is generally provided as compressed gas incompressed gas containers such as compressed gas cylinders orpressurized cans. It is also possible to provide xenon-containing gasmixtures in compressed gas containers. The gaseous medicament can alsobe provided in a container as liquefied gas or gas mixture or incryogenically solidified form.

The spasmolytic is usually administered using a ventilation machine witha gas-metering unit or with an anesthesia machine. The medicament isadvantageously produced directly from the pure gases for use, forexample by mixing xenon, oxygen and, where appropriate, an inert gas(for example with the aid of an anesthesia machine) in the directvicinity of the patient.

The spasmolytic is administered as dry gas, moist gas or watervapor-saturated gas to the patient.

The spasmolytic of the invention, in particular the gaseous spasmolyticwhich is administered by inhalation, is also used in combination with aconventional spasmolytic which is administered in particular orally orintravenously. This allows inter alia better adjustment to theindividual states of the patient's illness, with targeted use and dosingof the in some cases differing effects of the different spasmolytics sothat the effects of the spasmolytics advantageously supplement oneanother. The spasmolytic of the invention and one or more conventionalspasmolytics are accordingly used as combination medicament. Theinvention thus further relates to a spasmolytic comprising xenon or axenon-containing gas and a spasmolytic which is administered orally, byinhalation or intravenously, preferably with an organic spasmolyticactive ingredient, as combination product for simultaneous, separate orsequential use for the treatment of spasms, especially vasospasms. It islikewise advantageous to combine the xenon-containing spasmolytic withan NO source.

A nitric oxide source (NO source) is NO (nitric oxide), an NO-containinggas or gas mixture or a substance or preparation which releases nitricoxide (NO), which stimulates endogenous NO production or inhibits thebreakdown of NO in the body. A nitric oxide source are in particularNO-releasing and/or NO-forming compounds.

NO sources such as NO-containing gas mixtures and NO-releasing compoundsare described for example in DE 691 27 756 T2 (e.g. page 8, line 7, topage 9, end of the second paragraph, therein), which is incorporatedherein by reference. Examples of NO-releasing compounds areS-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), S-nitrosocysteine,nitroprusside, nitrosoguanidine, glycerol trinitrate, isoamyl nitrite,inorganic nitrite, azide or hydroxylamine. The NO-releasing compoundsare introduced for example as aerosols through inhalation into the lung,as described in DE 691 27 756 T2, which is incorporated herein byreference.

Xenon and an NO source are advantageously administered for pulmonarycomplaints in combination via the lung, with the effects of xenon and NOsupplementing one another. Medicaments, especially inhalablemedicaments, with xenon and an NO source are generally for thetreatment, prophylaxis or prevention of respiratory disorders, pulmonaryfunction disorders, acute or chronic pulmonary hypertension, especiallypneumonia, traumatic injury, aspiration or inhalation injury, fatembolism in the lung, acidosis, pneumonia, adult respiratory distresssyndrome, acute pulmonary edema, asthma, pulmonary hypertensionfollowing cardiac surgery, persistent neonatal pulmonary hypertension,perinatal aspiration syndrome, hyaline membrane disease, acute pulmonarythromboembolism, heparin-protamine reactions, sepsis, chronic pulmonaryhypertension, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic pulmonarythromboembolism, idiopathic or primary pulmonary hypertension, IRDS(infant respiratory distress syndrome), asthma, PPH (innate pulmonaryhypertension), cardiac malformation, lung immaturity in premature babiesand neonates. Xenon and an NO source are also used to produce aninhalable medicament for the prevention, prophylaxis, treatment orafter-treatment of apnea, especially following anesthesia.

Xenon and an NO source are particularly advantageously used to producean inhalable medicament for the prevention, prophylaxis, treatment orafter-treatment of apnea in premature babies and neonates, especiallyfollowing anesthesia.

The invention thus relates to a medicament comprising xenon and an NOsource. A medicament of this type consists for example of xenon and anNO source such as NO, of xenon, an NO source such as NO and an inertgas, or of xenon, an NO source such as NO, oxygen and an inert gas.

The invention further relates to a medicament, e.g. an inhaledmedicament, preferably a spasmolytic, in particular abronchospasmolytic, comprising xenon or a xenon-containing gas and an NOsource as combination product for simultaneous, separate or sequentialuse, especially for pulmonary disorders in humans or mammals.

The gaseous medicaments are ordinarily used as a gas mixture whichmaintains respiration and which comprises xenon and oxygen or xenon, anNO source and oxygen. Gas mixtures of this type are employed for examplein emergency medicine, where gas-mixing or gas-metering devices are toocomplicated for mobile use.

Examples of gases or gas mixtures which are employed as spasmolytic, inparticular as bronchospasmolytic, are: 1.) 80% by volume xenon/x ppmNO/remainder oxygen; 2.) 70% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen;3.) 65% by volume xenon/5% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen;4.) 65% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 5.) 60% by volumexenon/10% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 6.) 60% byvolume xenon/5% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 7.) 60% byvolume xenon/x ppm NO remainder oxygen; 8.) 55% by volume xenon/20% byvolume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 9.) 55% by volume xenon/15%by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 10.) 55% by volumexenon/10% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 11.) 55% byvolume xenon/5% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 12.) 55%by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 13.) 50% by volume xenon/xppm NO/remainder oxygen; 14.) 50% by volume xenon/5% by volumenitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 15.) 50% by volume xenon/10% byvolume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 16.) 50% by volume xenon/20%by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 17.) 50% by volumexenon/25% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 18.) 45% byvolume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 19.) 45% by volume xenon/5% byvolume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 20.) 45% by volume xenon/10%by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 21.) 45% by volumexenon/15% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 22.) 45% byvolume xenon/20% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 23.) 45%by volume xenon/25% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 24.)45% by volume xenon/25% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen;25.) 40% by volume xenon/30% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainderoxygen; 26.) 40% by volume xenon/10% by volume nitrogen/x ppmNO/remainder oxygen; 27.) 35% by volume xenon/40% by volume nitrogen/xppm NO/remainder oxygen; 28.) 35% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainderoxygen; 29.) 30% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 30.) 30% byvolume xenon/20% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 31.) 30%by volume xenon 40% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 32.)20% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 33.) 20% by volumexenon/50% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 34.) 15% byvolume xenon/55% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 35.) 15%by volume xenon/35% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 36.)10% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 37.) 10% by volumexenon/40% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 38.) 10% byvolume xenon/60% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 39.) 10%by volume xenon/65% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 40.)5% by volume xenon/70% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen;41.) 5% by volume xenon/65% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainderoxygen; 42.) 5% by volume xenon/45% by volume nitrogen/x ppmNO/remainder oxygen; 43.) 5% by volume xenon/65% by volume nitrogen/xppm NO/remainder oxygen; 44.) 5% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainderoxygen; 45.) 1% by volume xenon/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 46.) 1% byvolume xenon/69% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen; 47.) 1%by volume xenon/74% by volume nitrogen/x ppm NO/remainder oxygen. Thegas mixtures generally comprise from 0 to 100 ppm NO (x=0 to 100),preferably 0 to 50 ppm NO (x=0 to 50), particularly preferably 5 to 50ppm NO (x=5 to 50), in particular 10 to 50 ppm NO (x=10 to 50). The gasmixtures are preferably produced close to the patient, for example fromxenon gas, NO-inert gas mixture and oxygen or from xenon-NO gas mixture(e.g. xenon with 10 to 1000 ppm NO; in particular as compressed gas incompressed gas container) and oxygen.

Xenon is administered in particular during long-term ventilation and forprophylaxis in subanesthetic concentrations in a breathable gas(respiratory gas). It is advantageous especially during long-termventilation to administer breathable gases having a content of from 5 to45% by volume xenon, preferably 5 to 40% by volume xenon. Duringlong-term ventilation, the breathable gas has, for example, a content offrom 20 to 30% by volume oxygen, it being possible to increase theoxygen content if required at times for example 30 to 95% by volumeoxygen. The remaining gas in the breathable gas usually consists ofnitrogen or another inert gas and 0 to 100 ppm NO, preferably 0 to 40ppm NO, particularly 5 to 40 ppm NO, in particular 5 to 20 ppm NO. TheNO can also advantageously be added to the breathable gas only at times.

NO and NO-containing gases are preferably provided as compressed gasesin pressurized containers, for example 200 to 800 ppm NO in nitrogen.

The gas mixtures with xenon and NO are preferably freshly produced closeto the patient.

The gaseous medicament is usually administered using a ventilationmachine with a gas-metering unit or with an anesthesia machine. Themedicament is advantageously produced directly from the pure gases foruse, for example by mixing xenon, oxygen and, where appropriate, aninert gas and an NO-containing gas (for example with the aid of ananesthesia machine or a gas-metering device) in the direct vicinity ofthe patient.

One, more than one or all of the gas components of the gaseousmedicament, in particular xenon, NO-containing gas and oxygen or arespiratory gas, are advantageously mixed with the aid of a gas-meteringdevice. The gas-metering device is used advantageously to vary theconcentrations of the gas components during a ventilation. The deviceand the various methods for gas metering, in particular continuous anddiscontinuous gas metering with constant or variable gas componentconcentration, are described in DE 197 46 742 A1 and WO 98/31282, towhich reference is hereby made.

The metering of one or more gases, in particular of NO, advantageouslytakes place only during the phases of breathing in (inspiration). No gasmetering takes place during the breathing out (expiration). Gas meteringsynchronized with the breathing cycles is achieved by triggering withthe aid of a sensor. A control unit identifies, on the basis of sensormeasurements, the start of inspiration or the start and the end ofexpiration. The gas metering takes place continuously (e.g. with apreviously fixed amount or concentration of the metered gas perinspiration over the entire operating time) or discontinuously (e.g.with metering intervals), preferably program-controlled (e.g. timeprogram), sensor-controlled or with a combined program control andsensor control.

Metering of a gas, in particular xenon and/or NO-containing gas,advantageously takes place for many applications by combination of abasic metering and of an additive metering of one or more gases.Suitable as basic metering is, for example, a metering of xenon andNO-containing gas, a metering of xenon or a metering of NO-containinggas. As additive metering, for example, xenon and NO-containing gas,xenon or NO-containing gas is metered into a respiratory gas.

The use of one or more sensors on the patient permits automatic,patient-based metering of one or more gases.

1. A spasmolytic comprising xenon or a xenon-containing gas mixture. 2.The spasmolytic as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that xenon ispresent in therapeutically effective amount.
 3. The spasmolytic asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spasmolytic comprises NOor an NO source in therapeutically effective amount.
 4. A spasmolytic asclaimed in claim 1, comprising xenon or a xenon-containing gas and aspasmolytic which is administered orally or intravenously as combinationproduct for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment ofspasms.
 5. The spasmolytic as claimed in claim 4, characterized in thatthe spasmolytic is used for the treatment of vasospasms.
 6. A medicamentcomprising xenon and an NO source or comprising a xenon-containing gasand an NO source.
 7. The use of xenon or of a xenon-containing gasmixture according to claim 1, and, where appropriate, of an NO source toproduce a medicament for the treatment of spasms, to produce amedicament for the treatment of vasospasms, to produce a medicament forthe treatment of cerebral vasospasms, to produce a medicament for thetreatment of impairments of blood flow, in particular to produce agaseous medicament for the treatment of impairments of blood flow in thebrain, to produce a medicament for the treatment of impairment ofcerebral perfusion, to produce a medicament for the treatment ofcoronary perfusion impairment, to produce a medicament for the treatmentof cognitive impairments, to produce a medicament for the treatment ofstroke, to produce a medicament for the prophylaxis of stroke, toproduce a medicament for improving the oxygen supply in the brain, toproduce a medicament for the treatment von post-ischemia syndrome or toproduce a medicament for promoting blood flow in the brain, to produce amedicament for improving the oxygenation of the body, to produce amedicament for improving the oxygenation of the brain.
 8. The use ofxenon or of a xenon-containing gas mixture according to claim 1, toproduce a medicament having a vasodilating effect in capillary orprecapillary vascular systems of the human body.
 9. The use of xenon orof a xenon-containing gas mixture according to claim 1, and, whereappropriate, of an NO source to produce a medicament for the prophylaxisand/or therapy of impairments of cognitive performance, alsopostoperatively.
 10. The use of xenon or of a xenon-containing gasmixture according to claim 1, and, where appropriate, of an NO sourcefor the treatment of spasms.
 11. The use of xenon or of axenon-containing gas, oxygen and, where appropriate, of an NO source forsupplying oxygen to spontaneously breathing patients.